Bluetooth to get boosted transfer speed

The Bluetooth wireless standard is set to get a speed boost. The technology, which is used in cellphones and other small devices, will get a leap in transmission speeds that will bring speeds in line with USB 2.0 or FireWire.

The first products with high-speed Bluetooth may show up late next year, with wider availability in 2008, said Michael Foley, executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.

Ultra-wideband is being developed by another industry group, the WiMedia Alliance, which includes Hewlett-Packard Co., Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp.Bluetooth may soon be suitable for tasks such as a camcorder with WiMedia technology transmitting high-definition video wirelessly to a TV.